Alex Schmidt '14: The beginning of a mission: a behind-the scenes look at the Judges

Alex Schmidt '14 (courtesy Sportspix)

Aug 19, 2012

The beginning of a mission

Brandeis basketball 2012-2013 got underway earlier this August,
with 12 returning players eager to prepare for two goals this
upcoming year: a University Athletic Association title and - more
importantly - an NCAA championship. We arrived on friday the 3rd of
August looking forward to 10 days of preseason-type
preparation: skill and team workouts and some team bonding
exercises.

After the initial wake-up call of our coaches, almost the entire
team was ready to perform at the top level. Coach Hollins took
the frontcourt players back to his own playing days with very
physical body workouts. Coach Coppens led the guards down his own
memory lane for some one-on-one coaching and skill development
every morning. Coach Meehan joined the team in the afternoons to
ensure a planned and strategized practice regimen, and combinations
of team bonding and preparation for the new season's goal's
sessions at night.

The years' and this summers' goals were made very clear: to make
sure all our players are both mentally and physically prepared for
our pre-season - starting October 15th - and gain
further experience with regards to adversity and tuning into one
frequency as a team unit rather than 12 players

On the 14th of August, we finally set off for Croatia, prepared
to defend America's basketball reputation abroad. Unfortunately one
of our teammates senior center Wouter van der Eng remained behind
to fulfill his duties as a Community Advisor.

For our first game on August 16, the Croatian club KK Kastela
was our assignment. The Judges started out strong, as Youri Dascy
'14 in the post showed off some physical dominance through and
Derek Retos '14 connected from behind the 3-point line on both fast
break and set play opportunities.

The European rules, with regards to post play, screening and
most of all traveling, presented a hindrance for the Judges at
first, but by the 4th quarter, we seemed to finally get the hang of
the subtleties.

Up by 13 heading into the 4th quarter, the wear-and-tear of an
almost 20 hour trip on the started to catch up with us on the
defensive end of the court, giving Kastela a last hope in the final
minutes of play. But, led by Ben Bartoldus '14, the defense bounced
back down the stretch and managed to fend off our hosts, the men of
Kastela, 73-70. We concluded our first win in European territory
with a true display of composure and unity!

For more on our opening win, check out John Saucier's (Class of
2008) blog, which will be posted shortly.